Climate Report: Dangerous Times on the Planet - Phasing Out Fossil Fuels is Top Priority

With drastic words, a consortium of leading climate scientists, including Stefan Rahmsdorf and Johan Rockström, have addressed the world public in their "State of the Climate" report. The report is part of a series of short annual updates on the state of the climate.

"We are on the brink of an irreversible climate catastrophe. It is undoubtedly a global emergency. Much of the Earth's life-support systems are at risk. We are entering a critical and unpredictable new phase of the climate crisis," warn the scientists.

They lament that science, with a large number of more than 15,000 participants, is sounding the alarm over the looming dangers of climate change, which is caused by increasing greenhouse gas emissions and changes in ecosystems. Global warming has been correctly predicted for half a century, even before it was observed, not only by independent academic scientists but also by companies producing fossil fuels, the authors note in their introduction.

"Despite these warnings, we are still moving in the wrong direction; fossil fuel emissions have risen to an all-time high, the three hottest days on record occurred in July 2024, and current policies are steering towards a maximum warming of about 2.7 degrees Celsius (°C) by 2100. Tragically, we are failing to avoid severe impacts, and we can only hope to limit the extent of the damage. We are witnessing the grim reality of the predictions, as the impacts of climate change escalate, leading to unprecedented disasters worldwide as well as human and non-human suffering. We are amid an abrupt climate change, a catastrophic situation that has never been seen in human history," the authors warn drastically. 

Humanity has brought the planet into climatic conditions that neither the current generation nor the prehistoric relatives within the Homo genus have ever experienced. Last year saw record-breaking sea surface temperatures, the hottest extratropical summer in the Northern Hemisphere in 2,000 years, and the breaking of many other climate records. Furthermore, more extreme weather events are predicted for the coming years.

"Human-caused carbon dioxide emissions and other greenhouse gases are the main drivers of climate change. As of 2022, about 90% of these emissions are from global fossil fuel combustion and industrial processes, while land use changes, especially deforestation, account for about 10%," outline the scientists.

The present article is addressed directly to researchers, policymakers, and the public. As scientists and academics, it is seen as our moral duty and that of institutions to alert humanity as clearly as possible to the growing threats it faces and to take a leadership role in addressing them. The report analyzes the latest trends in a variety of "planetary vital signs." It also addresses notable climate disasters of recent times, highlights important climate-related issues, and discusses necessary policy interventions.

Energy sector: fossil fuel consumption continues to rise

Fossil fuel consumption increased by 1.5% in 2023 compared to 2022, mainly due to a significant increase in coal consumption (1.6%) and oil consumption (2.5%). Renewable energy use also increased in 2023, with the combined consumption of solar and wind energy rising by 15% compared to 2022. Much of this growth is due to renewable energy often being cheaper than comparable new fossil fuels. However, fossil fuel consumption is still about 14 times higher than solar and wind energy consumption, and the recent growth in the share of renewables in electricity generation mainly covered increased demand rather than replaced fossil fuels.